Looking for a great gift? How about the gift of relaxation?

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Nov. 25, 2008
By PGATOUR.COM staff

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Stumped for the primo Christmas present? Holiday shopping got you down?

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The Circular Spa Lounge.

The PGA TOUR Spa Laterra has the perfect solution for either situation. They call it "The Great Escape," and it's a rejuvenating 3 ½ hour petite retreat that includes a Therapeutic Massage, Fitness Facial and the La Florida body treatment.

The emphasis is on relaxation, and the treatments definitely deliver. Anyone would be thrilled to receive a gift certificate for the package, and it definitely would be a welcome end to a harried day spent searching for presents at the mall.

Plush robes and slippers are provided as soon as you enter the wood-paneled dressing area inside the Mediterranean-style building that houses the Spa Laterra. There's a private locker for your clothes and valuables, as well, but save the visit to the steam room located just down the hall until after you've undergone your treatments. You'll definitely want to prolong the experience.

If you have time before you begin your personal great escape, relax in the circular spa lounge. You can sip tea and cucumber-flavored water or read a magazine as you sit on one of the chaise lounges the ring the waterfall flowing in the center of the room. The treatment rooms are located outside the circular lounge, and soothing music is piped throughout the entire facility.

The first treatment in "The Great Escape" is a Fitness Facial. You'll lay down on one of those heated massage tables and nestle under the soft sheets and beige blanket. Close your eyes and be glad your cell phone is locked away in the dressing room. The next 60 minutes are nothing if not serene.

The clinician uses a variety of Sonya Dakar products -- first to remove any lingering makeup, then to cleanse, exfoliate and revive your skin. As she applies each, the clinician uses a variety of gentle, sweeping motions with her hands and fingertips that erase any stress you may have.

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The Spa Boutique.

The facial, which includes a blue mask, organic scrub and treatment with an omega 3 complex, is accompanied by a relaxing massage of your hands, arms and shoulders. You can also add on a paraffin treatment for your hands, as well as a seaweed mask, that revitalizes tired eyes. An hour later, your skin is soft and completely rejuvenated.

The next treatment is the La Florida, which, like the Fitness Facial, is one of the Spa Laterra's signatures.

The treatment consists of a citrus salt scrub using fresh oranges. The juice is squeezed on your entire body, and the technician then rhythmically massages the salt into it. Then, as you relax on the treatment table, the citrus scrub is washed off your body by a steaming overhead shower with seven different showerheads. The La Florida is completed with an application of orange blossom lotion.

The final element of "The Great Escape" is the Therapeutic Massage. This Swedish style massage is designed to loosen and relax muscles while using long flowing strokes and aromatic oils. The masseuse tailors the pressure to each individual and uses a variety of approaches -- at times touching lightly, other times kneading and sometimes compressing the aching muscles into complete submission.

In addition to "The Great Escape," the Spa Laterra has a variety of other treatments on its spa menu. Regardless of which one you chose to enjoy -- or give -- this holiday season, expect to be relaxed and revived.

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